Thou shalt implement green protocol: Pastoral letter

KOLLAM: In a first in the country, a bishop has sent a pastoral letter to all parishes under the diocese urging them to implement Green protocol. Quoting from the Bible and citing the message by Pope Francis on the need for environmental protection, Bishop Stanley Roman directed all churches under Kollam diocese to follow guidelines by the Suchitwa Mission and Harita Keralam mission in all functions undertaken by the churches. The pastoral letter observes that abiding by the green protocol is the best way to lessen the impact of serious
threats posed by garbage issues. The churches under the Kollam diocese starting from Chathannoor to Thottappally in Alappuzha will implement the green protocol following the directive by the bishop.

In the pastoral letter, the bishop cited Pope Francis’ speech at an international Jain seminar in which he said, “We should unite in conserving the environment being aware that protecting the earth is akin to protecting the entire mankind.” The letter has also quoted verses from the Bible emphasising the need for protecting the nature. Reiterating the Church’s approach towards bringing down the rate of pollution to the environment, it has been directed that the quantity of possible pollutants should be brought down to the minimum.

Churches, other establishments, and houses under the diocese should also prepare compost from bio-degradable waste, collect and sort out non-degradable items for recycling by handing it over to scrap dealers. “The move will be a model to similar establishments to take up the message of environmental conservation. We had earlier requested the bishop to implement green protocol as part of Swachh Bharat — Harita Keralam mission and the pastoral letter is part of implementing it,” G. Krishnakumar, District Coordinator Suchitwa Mission Kollam, told this newspaper.

The churches will completely avoid plastic, disposable items, and flex hoardings during festivals and other private functions in churches and educational institutions under the diocese. The pastoral letter also directs the churches to request the believers to donate steel and ceramic vessels to use during these functions. The churches will associate with the Quilon Social Service Society to implement steps for effectively implementing the protocol.